Obituary for John Duncan Stockton
John Duncan Stockton, a resident of Newton Lower Falls, MA, passed away on February 1, 2022, at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from complications of a blood cancer. His wife was at the bedside.
The son of Marjorie (Holcombe) and John Stockton, John was born in August 10, 1955 in Fords, New Jersey, as the middle child of the family. He was a quiet boy, who handled school work with ease, read passionately for hours each day, and played the piano. Neighboring his parents' home were pastures and woods, where John walked or rode his bicycle, and where he began to nurture a love for trees. It may have been this fascination with trees, along with his steady interest in science that led him to pursue a Bachelors degree in biology, and thereafter a Masters in horticultural physiology at Pennsylvania State University.
John's career centered around developing and improving scientific techniques. His work took him to a number of cities - in Saint Louis he applied electron microscopy to food science, in Houston he used electron microscopy to help diagnose human disease. He went on to build on his experience with microscopy by joining a team that pioneered embryo microinjection in Houston. This led to an expertise in human in vitro fertilization techniques, and in the generation of genetically engineered, transgenic experimental animals. He led Transgenic Core Facilities in Houston, San Diego, Kansas City and Boston. In 2009, he also assumed the management of the experimental Animal Facility of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, a responsibility held until November, 2021.
Born into a religious Christian family, John was a believer from a very young age. He had read various translations of the bible, and quoted the writings of scholars. He relentlessly defended the most inclusive interpretations of the scripture, convinced that God's endless kindness and love enveloped us all - regardless of whether we were women or men, straight or gay, or practicing different religions. John lived and professed the Father's love, and emulated it in the way he loved his own daughter, Catherine.
John was actively involved in raising Catherine and at times was her main caretaker. He was generous with his time and affection, a gentle, supportive and playful dad. He taught Catherine empathy for others, and respect and love for herself.
John enjoyed travel, music of all kinds, sculpture and paintings of the old masters. He loved the sun and summer weather, tea and all things English.
John was loved by Irina, his wife of 14 years, and cherished by his daughter Catherine (age 13). He will always be the beloved brother of Karen Kovacs and Joseph Stockton. He is the loving uncle of Christian (Kovacs) Grappe and Alyson (Kovacs) Pontius, the dear son-in-law of Olimpia Gavanescu. John is survived by many cousins and countless friends.
A cremation will be coordinated by the Burke&Blackington Funeral Home of West Newton, MA. The ashes will be buried in the Summer of 2022, in Asheville, North Carolina.
The son of Marjorie (Holcombe) and John Stockton, John was born in August 10, 1955 in Fords, New Jersey, as the middle child of the family. He was a quiet boy, who handled school work with ease, read passionately for hours each day, and played the piano. Neighboring his parents' home were pastures and woods, where John walked or rode his bicycle, and where he began to nurture a love for trees. It may have been this fascination with trees, along with his steady interest in science that led him to pursue a Bachelors degree in biology, and thereafter a Masters in horticultural physiology at Pennsylvania State University.
John's career centered around developing and improving scientific techniques. His work took him to a number of cities - in Saint Louis he applied electron microscopy to food science, in Houston he used electron microscopy to help diagnose human disease. He went on to build on his experience with microscopy by joining a team that pioneered embryo microinjection in Houston. This led to an expertise in human in vitro fertilization techniques, and in the generation of genetically engineered, transgenic experimental animals. He led Transgenic Core Facilities in Houston, San Diego, Kansas City and Boston. In 2009, he also assumed the management of the experimental Animal Facility of the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, a responsibility held until November, 2021.
Born into a religious Christian family, John was a believer from a very young age. He had read various translations of the bible, and quoted the writings of scholars. He relentlessly defended the most inclusive interpretations of the scripture, convinced that God's endless kindness and love enveloped us all - regardless of whether we were women or men, straight or gay, or practicing different religions. John lived and professed the Father's love, and emulated it in the way he loved his own daughter, Catherine.
John was actively involved in raising Catherine and at times was her main caretaker. He was generous with his time and affection, a gentle, supportive and playful dad. He taught Catherine empathy for others, and respect and love for herself.
John enjoyed travel, music of all kinds, sculpture and paintings of the old masters. He loved the sun and summer weather, tea and all things English.
John was loved by Irina, his wife of 14 years, and cherished by his daughter Catherine (age 13). He will always be the beloved brother of Karen Kovacs and Joseph Stockton. He is the loving uncle of Christian (Kovacs) Grappe and Alyson (Kovacs) Pontius, the dear son-in-law of Olimpia Gavanescu. John is survived by many cousins and countless friends.
A cremation will be coordinated by the Burke&Blackington Funeral Home of West Newton, MA. The ashes will be buried in the Summer of 2022, in Asheville, North Carolina.